According to Hansen’s website, Mandarin Lime is “our most popular and number one seller made with extracts of the Yucatan Mandarin orange and Colima limes.” I don’t care what they use, it’s pretty tasty. Overall, the beverage is clear, with a clean, unnoticeable scent. In fact, “clean” is a great way to describe the experience. While close to a 7Up/Sprite/Sierra Mist texture, the overall taste isn’t burdened down with artificial lemon-lime flavors. The carbonation is bubbly, but subtle.

UPDATE (7/25/2008): Our original review of Hansen’s Natural Mandarin Lime Soda was focused on the original version, which utilized high fructose corn syrup… even though we noted that the product now is sweetened with cane sugar. Hansen’s made the change in sweeteners in April 2008. This has been reflected in their new packaging:

New Packaging: Hansen’s Natural Mandarin Lime Cane Soda

Having tasted both versions, I can honestly say that the new cane sugar version is immensely more “clean” in taste (if that’s even possible) than when I originally reviewed the drink. It’s a positive move overall!